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Topic: My IPA changes drastically over time (Read 3317 times)

I made my IPA and it tasted great the first few weeks in the keg and now it's not so good. I put it in a competition and the judges ripped it for being solventy. So I came home and tasted it and I could see where they were coming from. It did not taste that way a couple weeks ago, in fact, my wife and I thought it was great. I know IPA's should be consumed when they are young or fresh, but it seems that mine have a small window when they taste good. This fact has made it hard for me to get the timing right for competitions. Has anyone else had this problem? Am I making too big of a deal out of this? What could make this beer have a solvent flavor?

Sounds like possibly oxidation to me. I'm not exactly sure about the science but seems like I remember reading somewhere that oxidation can cause solventy notes, especially when coupled with higher fermentation temps. But empirical evidence suggest to me that oxidation alone can cause this, even with low fermentation temps. I've seen this happen in some of my beers as well, especially in IPA's. I also wonder if the hop compounds can become oxidized and cause the flavor you speak of.

Sounds like possibly oxidation to me. I'm not exactly sure about the science but seems like I remember reading somewhere that oxidation can cause solventy notes, especially when coupled with higher fermentation temps. But empirical evidence suggest to me that oxidation alone can cause this, even with low fermentation temps. I've seen this happen in some of my beers as well, especially in IPA's. I also wonder if the hop compounds can become oxidized and cause the flavor you speak of.

I was thinking along these same lines. Last year about this same time I had an IPA get oxidized (I think), I forgot to purge the keg and I dry hopped in a secondary without purging the carboy. That one turned out to be a very harsh bitterness after a few weeks in the keg. So I was thinking if the hops (Columbus, Amarillo, Cascade) could also contribute to this flavor. I also dry hopped with Columbus and Cenntennial.